Composting

Composting isn’t rocket science, but it can still be confusing sometimes. Luckily, we’re here to help. Whether it’s composting food scraps in a backyard bin, or dropping it off at one of our facilities, we have a lot of resources to help you figure out what works. In this post, we answer some FAQs that we take on our hotline (802-872-8111). Won’t it attract rats, bears…or Bigfoot? If properly managed,…

In 2020, food scraps and other organic material will be banned your trash can (it’s already banned for businesses that generate large amounts). So what’s a food-lovin’ human to do with all those meat and veggie scraps once the lopping and chopping is over? Don’t look at your garbage disposal for answers—Just ask the folks who manage wastewater treatment plants and witness the repercussions of putting the wrong things down the…

On a clear, chilly December day, a well-bundled crew of compost advocates from a wide spectrum of expertise and interest gathered to tour three community compost sites in Chittenden and Addison Counties. We dubbed ourselves the “Soil Souls” and were exploring how community compost sites fit into the mosaic of options for efficiently managing food waste. After all, Vermont’s Universal Recycling and Composting Law (Act 148) is ramping up, and…

Diane K. of Winooski won a $35 gift certificate to the food-waste-fightin’ restaurant of her choice when her name was picked as the February winner of CSWD’s Drop-Off Composting Challenge. The Challenge invites residents to bring their household food scraps to any CSWD Drop-Off Center. (Those scraps end up at Green Mountain Compost, where they’re made into plant-boosting compost.) Our food-waste fighters list keeps growing. When you’ve got the munchies, support…

Keeping food scraps out of the landfill is simple. But like any new habit, collecting food scraps at home can take some time to get used to. We want to make it as easy as pie – so we recently produced a couple of videos to help you get your composting habit on track! Watch the videos here – then head over to our Composting page to learn more about…

From the New York Times, May 22, 2015 With Compost Program, Keeping Waste From Going to Waste … New York is joining a garbage revolution that is widespread in Europe and has gotten started in some American cities. Instead of having infinite piles shipped to great distances for burial, New York is working on harvesting its garbage for nutrients and energy. Garbage is such a valuable commodity that some…

We came across this short story written by Bernie Paquette over at Litter with a Story to Tell. On his blog, he publishes “short stories, essays, and photos reflecting Vermont values of Green and Clean and Community; inspiring people to maintain a litter-free environment.” This particular story is a quick and satisfying read. You can find him on Twitter at @VTLitterStories. Nothing to Waste (Vermont Folklore) Mr. Gardner steps into…

Did you throw (or attend) an event with great compost and recycling? Tell us about it! Tweet to @cswdvt So, you’re throwing a party. Awesome! The weather is going to be great, everyone is going to get there on time, and your mother-in-law is even going to tell you what an incredible cook / joke teller / frisbee thrower you are. There will be laughter and fun and people…

State awards $11,250 Grant to UVM to support school recycling and composting programs. The Agency of Natural Resources, DEC Solid Waste Program awarded the grant to the University of Vermont for work with schools in the Rutland and Colchester regions as part of a larger statewide program that granted $45,000 to four nonprofit groups. Each grant requires the grantee to develop and launch school-wide recycling and composting programs in at…

The Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) is a municipality created by the State of Vermont to manage the solid waste generated within Chittenden County. CSWD's mission is to reduce and manage the solid waste generated within Chittenden County in an environmentally sound, efficient, effective and economical manner. Our vision is for our community to fully participate in minimizing disposal and maximizing reuse and recycling.